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dole

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A portion or share, especially of sorrow or charity; grief or misery; as a verb, to distribute sparingly or give out in small amounts, often grudgingly.

Detailed Definition
“Dole” conveys measured distribution—of grief (“doleful”), alms, or fate. In poetry, it links poverty, pity, and providence. The adjective “doleful” intensifies melancholy. As verb, “to dole” suggests scarcity or reluctant giving. Poets use it in social or religious contexts to critique inequality or affirm compassion, grounding abstract themes in tangible acts of sharing or suffering.
Example
Example in poetry:
"He gave his life, yet asked no dole," a line of stoic praise; In medieval charity poems: "Give dole to the poor, lest God deny thee"; "She sought no dole, though hunger pinched"; Shakespeare uses "dole" for sorrowful share: "My dole is past"; "The dole of tears is all I own"; Share thy dole with those in need.
Additional Notes
“Dole” conveys both sorrow and charitable distribution; in social or religious poetry, “doleful” scenes contrast with acts of giving “doles,” exploring themes of poverty, compassion, and the limits of human charity.
Also Known As
sorrow grief lamentation
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